County's 'number one cycling event' in pictures

Wallingford Cycling Festival 2019 in pictures

WALLINGFORD'S Festival of Cycling returned for its fifth year with a host of flips, tips and tricks this weekend.

The action-packed three-day event, dubbing itself 'Oxfordshire's number one cycling event', is billed as a 'celebration of the inclusive world of cycling with a vision for getting more people on their bikes'.

This year's billing saw numerous different races, a pump track, a 'dirt factory air bag' for stunts, a school cycling championship and an e-bike taster on offer alongside various other cycling-centric activities.

Enjoyed by more than 1,000 participants, the event raised money for Against Breast Cancer and Sue Ryder.

Noting new additions for 2019, Miss Knouwds, who is also South Oxfordshire District Council's Active Communities Officer, added: "Saturday introduced a kids skills and racing event with around 48 primary school kids taking part in three events: a grass race track, a skills course and the dual track race course with the emphasis on teaching them to ride safely.

"We introduced a dual track race course with a 6m high starting ramp, as well as an air bag for bike stunts."

Set up by three Dads, the town's festival also aims to 'help find the next Laura Trott or Mark Cavendish'.

Paul Mitchell, Tony Sefton and Keith Lansley from Wallingford all had teenage children regularly competing in races in Manchester.

But without access to such facilities on their doorstep, they felt their children were significantly disadvantaged so formed a new cycling club for talented local teens in 2014.

The following year, they organised the town's first cycling festival, which even features Penny Farthing races.

This year there were also new 13, 27 and 100 mile routes introduced to suit different riders, while a 48 hour charity cycle raised more than £10,000 for Against Breast Cancer.

The non-profit festival, which mainly runs from the Kinecroft and town centre, features a mix of free and paid-for activities.

An 'inclusive cycling taster session' – run by Wheels for All, a charity supporting disability cycling, and Style Acre, which helps people with learning difficulties – saw 30 riders make their way around the town centre.

E-bike demonstrations were also on offer throughout the weekend - which the leader and chairman of South Oxfordshire District council even took advantage of, having starting off the five mile family ride.

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